17 I have been told by the word of the Lord: 'You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.' "

Other Translations of 1 Kings 13:17

King James Version

17 For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.

English Standard Version

17 for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, 'You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'"

The Message

17 I'm under strict orders from God: 'Don't eat a crumb; don't drink a drop; and don't come back the way you came.'"

New King James Version

17 For I have been told by the word of the Lord, 'You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.' "

New Living Translation

17 For the Lord gave me this command: 'You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.'"

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 13:17

Commentary on 1 Kings 13:11-22

(Read 1 Kings 13:11-22)

The old prophet's conduct proves that he was not really a godly man. When the change took place under Jeroboam, he preferred his ease and interest to his religion. He took a very bad method to bring the good prophet back. It was all a lie. Believers are most in danger of being drawn from their duty by plausible pretences of holiness. We may wonder that the wicked prophet went unpunished, while the holy man of God was suddenly and severely punished. What shall we make of this? The judgments of God are beyond our power to fathom; and there is a judgment to come. Nothing can excuse any act of wilful disobedience. This shows what they must expect who hearken to the great deceiver. They that yield to him as a tempter, will be terrified by him as a tormentor. Those whom he now fawns upon, he will afterwards fly upon; and whom he draws into sin, he will try to drive to despair.